FAU Secures $1.4M Grant to Save Wildlife in Florida Everglades | | Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science has received a five-year, $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study dry-season prey concentrations in the Florida Everglades. Led by Michelle L. Petersen, Ph.D., assistant research professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and director of the Environmental Science Program in the School of Environmental, Coastal and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS), the project will collect and analyze data on aquatic prey and habitat conditions, helping scientists understand the key factors that drive wading bird nesting success. Read more. | | “This project is incredibly exciting because it allows us to quantify the link between water conditions, fish populations and wading bird nesting across the Everglades,” said Petersen. “By identifying when and where prey concentrations occur, we can better understand what drives nesting success and provide information that directly supports restoration efforts in this unique and vital ecosystem.” | | | FAU Study: Drones Map Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting Site Hotspots | | Researchers from the Schmidt College of Science employed the use of drones and field surveys to show how beach slopes and human structures shape loggerhead turtle nesting in South Florida, offering key insights to protect these endangered turtles. Read more. | | “This research really demonstrates how new technology can deepen our understanding of natural processes,” said Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D., co-author and chair and professor in the Department of Geosciences. “By combining drone-based mapping with on-the-ground data collection, our team has revealed how even small variations in beach shape or the presence of human structures can influence whether a sea turtle successfully nests. These findings are not just important for science – they directly inform how we manage and protect Florida’s beaches for generations to come.” | | | 'Frazzled' Fruit Flies Help Unravel How Neural Circuits Stay Wired | | Neuroscientists in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science have uncovered a surprising role for a protein named “Frazzled” (known as DCC in mammals) in the nervous system of fruit flies. Results of the study, published in the journal eNeuro, reveal that when Frazzled is missing or mutated, the system falters: neurons fail to form proper electrical connections, the fly’s neural responses slow down and communication between the Giant Fiber System neurons and the muscles they control weakens. Read more. | | “The combination of experimental and computational work allowed us to see not just that Frazzled matters, but exactly how it shapes the connections that let neurons talk to each other,” said Rodney Murphey, Ph.D., senior author and a professor of biological sciences in the Schmidt College of Science. | | | Muscle Protein Linked to Exercise Opens New Way to Treat Alzheimer's | A pioneering study by Florida Atlantic researchers and collaborators shows that expressing Cathepsin B specifically in muscles can prevent memory loss and maintain brain function in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. While more research is needed, especially in humans, the study highlights the potentially powerful connection between muscle and brain in neurodegenerative diseases. Read more. | From Classroom to Coast: FAU Science Students Tag Sharks, Advance Fisheries Science | Schmidt College of Science Elasmo Lab graduate students teamed up with undergraduate students from the University of South Florida for "the ultimate lab experience" — a four-day shark research trip around Tampa Bay. A total of 50 students participated, including 11 from Biological Sciences Professor Dr. Stephen Kajiura’s “Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives” course. Together, the group tagged 12 sharks with NOAA-issued ID tags, as well as caught and identified dozens of fish and invertebrates. Read more. | Advancing Ecological Risk Assessment: Researchers and Student Scientists Represent College at SETAC Thanks to WLW-ECOS Support | | Valery E. Forbes, Ph.D., dean and professor, Schmidt College of Science, along with Ines Haberle, Ph.D., a biological sciences postdoctoral fellow, and undergraduate student researcher Lorena Martins, attended the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) North America 46th Annual Meeting, from Nov. 16 to 20, in Portland, Oregon. The event brought together more than 1,000 environmental scientists representing academia, government and industry from around the world. The Florida Atlantic researchers attended SETAC with support from a WLW-ECOS Travel Grant. Read more. | | “Bringing Ines and Lorena to SETAC was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our team's work that is contributing to advancing ecological risk assessment and management,” said Forbes. “Witnessing the confidence of both Ines and Lorena when presenting their work at a major international conference underscores the value of experiential learning. I strongly encourage my faculty colleagues to pursue WLW-ECOS and other funding opportunities to engage our students in conducting and presenting their research—it's an invaluable investment in our next generation of scientists.” | | | College of Science Postdoc, Doctoral Student Earn Top Honors in 7th Annual ‘Art of Science’ Competition | | Congratulations to “Art of Science” first place winner Chelsea Bennice, Ph.D., a marine biologist and a postdoctoral researcher in the Schmidt College of Science, and second place winner Gabriella Carvajal, a doctoral student in the Schmidt College of Science. Bennice took top honors for her entry titled, “First Selfie … Cephie,” that captures an octopus seemingly trying to take a “selfie” with a diver’s camera. Carvajal won for her entry, “Sea Turtle Beginning,” which uses a technique known as “candling” to show the intricate embryonic development of a loggerhead sea turtle within its egg. A significant proportion of students and faculty from the Schmidt College of Science also won awards. Read more. | | Save the Birds: FAU Scientists Encourage Lights Out During Migration Season | Credit: Visible Earth NASA. | Every spring and fall, billions of birds migrate at night, but city lights can disorient them and lead to deadly collisions with buildings. At Florida Atlantic University, Rindy Anderson, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences, and Kimberly Vardeman, assistant director of the college's Center for Environmental Studies (CES), are leading a "lights out" campaign to protect migrating birds. Two simple actions—turning off lights and closing blinds at night—can help save countless birds. Read more. | | Frontiers in Science 2026 Panel Discussion Series | |
This season of the Frontiers in Science 2026 Public Lecture Series includes panel discussions with experts in the sciences and Q&A sessions from the audience, all moderated by the Dean of the Schmidt College of Science, Valery E. Forbes, Ph.D. We hope these discussions expand your understanding of the world, inspire deeper learning and ignite meaningful discussions. These events are free and open to the public.
Panel Discussion Schedule
Unlocking the Code of Life: A Community Conversation on the Promises of Biotechnology
Thursday, January 29, 2026 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. panel discussion | 6:30-7:30 p.m. reception with refreshments
Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
Saving Our Seas: On the Front Lines of Protecting Florida's Coral Reefs
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. panel discussion | 6:30-7:30 p.m. reception with refreshments
Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
| | Breakthrough Research: FAU Scientists Win Funding to Uncover Early Alzheimer’s Cognitive Deficits Using Brain Organoids and Robotics | | Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects more than six million Americans and costs the U.S. economy over $300 billion annually. To better understand the circuit-level deficits that underlie early cognitive decline in AD, Rodrigo Pena, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, was named a SEED funding recipient by the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering (I-SENSE). Together with researchers in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, Pena's team received $22,500 to study, “Brain organoid-interfaced robotic hand to investigate learning and memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease.” Read more. | | Watch: Saving Wading Birds and Restoring the Everglades | | Michelle Petersen, Ph.D., assistant research professor, Department of Biological Sciences, and director of the Environmental Science Program in the Schmidt College of Science, is leading a study on how water level fluctuations and prey availability shape wading bird foraging and nesting success. This crucial data is used to predict successful nesting seasons and informs management decisions that conserve wading bird populations and advance Everglades restoration goals for South Florida’s biodiversity. Watch video. | | |
AI for Science Course
Launching Spring 2026: A New 3-Credit Course for Science Undergraduate Students
Get ready to master the essential tool of the future. AI for Science (IDS 4934) will be offered to prepare you for a world where AI proficiency is a core skill. Prerequisites: None! Designed for students with no prior programming experience. Learn more. Questions? Contact Evonne Rezler, Ph.D.
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WLW-ECOS Student Success Scholarship
Award Amount: up to $7,500 per semester
The WLW-ECOS Student Success Scholarship provides need-based financial support to Schmidt College of Science undergraduate students pursuing careers in solution-oriented environmental research. This scholarship is designed to help cover the cost of attendance not covered by other scholarships or grants, enabling students to focus on their academic success and environmental research interests. Spring 2026 deadline to apply: Dec. 16, 2025. Learn more.
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2026 Postdoctoral Opportunities
Jumpstart Postdoctoral Program
The program aims to stimulate synergy between faculty and postdoctoral associates interested in collaborating on multidisciplinary research that addresses societally relevant problems. Application deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026. Learn more.
New! WLW-ECOS Postdoctoral Fellowships program
Up to five two-year postdoctoral fellowships are available to support early-career scientists conducting solution-oriented research addressing South Florida's most pressing environmental challenges. Application deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026. Learn more.
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Smart Cities and IoT Certificate
The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, in partnership with the College of Engineering and Computer Science, offers the Smart Cities and Internet of Things (Sc-IoT) Certificate for undergraduate students. Learn more.
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Call for Content! The Invading Sea
Are you interested in writing about your research, concerning environmental issues or other topics related to Florida’s environment and climate change? The Invading Sea welcomes contributions from Florida Atlantic faculty, staff and students. Please email Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu for details on how to contribute.
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Spring 2026 Grant Writing Course Open to All Ph.D. Students
Enroll in EEX 7256 Grant Writing to gain the practical skills needed to craft competitive, funded grant proposals. Open to doctoral students across all disciplines, this course is taught by Chair of the Department of Special Education, Joseph Gagnon, Ph.D., in the College of Education, who has secured over $2.5 million in funded research. Start developing your fundable proposal this spring. Learn more.
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ECOS Internship Opportunities
The Florida Atlantic School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) paid internships provide student stipends while they complete degree-related career experiences at local, well-established nonprofit environment-linked organizations. Students are paid through FAU’s WLW-ECOS Student Success Fund. Learn more.
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Join Florida Atlantic's School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS)
Florida Atlantic's School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) invites all FAU faculty, postdocs and graduate students to become affiliate members of the school. Engage in transformational interdisciplinary research, teaching and community engagement initiatives that bring forth the collective environmental capabilities of the university. Learn more.
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'Art of Science' Winners Featured in USA Today
USA Today ran extensive coverage of Florida Atlantic University’s 2025 “Art of Science” competition, which celebrates the creativity and visual beauty of scientific research of its faculty, students and staff. At left: "Skeletal Secrets" by Alejandra Coronet-Zegarra, doctoral student,
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, "Student in the Lab" winner. Read more.
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'The Invading Sea' Highlights Nat and Dorothy Hyman Lecturer
Gabby Salazar, Ph.D., award-winning conservation photographer and National Geographic Explorer, enthralled a sold-out crowd during her Nov. 12 presentation as part of the Schmidt College of Science's 2025 Nat and Dorothy Hyman Science Lecture Series. Read more.
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Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025-Friday, Jan.2, 2026
Winter Break
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026
Classes Begin
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026
Frontiers in Science: "Unlocking the Code of Life"
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
Frontiers in Science: "Saving Our Seas"
| | Partner With the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science as We Race Toward Excellence! | | At the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, we have an unprecedented obligation and opportunity to provide our students and community with the highest caliber of research, scientific invention, and education in the country. | | | | |
